We Just Found Out What Makes Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls So Good (2024)

That alluring smell and taste is all thanks to one trademarked ingredient.

By

Meghan Glass

We Just Found Out What Makes Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls So Good (1)

Meghan Glass is a professional chef who has always sought ways to help her community through food outreach. She has loved the art of cooking since she watched Julia Child sear veal as a small child. After working in other fields, she decided to return to school to pursue her true passion, food.

Published on February 17, 2024

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We Just Found Out What Makes Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls So Good (2)

Some smells are so strong and distinct, I feel confident I could pick them out of a line up. Salty Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, bright and sweet Panda Express Orange Chicken, and warm Cinnabon Cinnamon rolls. Do I buy one when I see them in the airport food court? Not always. Do I stop to inhale that sweet cinnamon scent? Absolutely, every time! And it turns out, the core ingredient for this anytime treat is actually unique to the brand.

Cinnabon's Secret Ingredient

It might not shock you to find out that the cinnamon used in the Cinnabon offerings is the key ingredient. But this isn’t just any cinnamon. This special Indonesian cinnamon, called Makara, is trademarked by Cinnabon. And because of that trademark, you won’t find this product in your local grocery store spice aisle.

According to the brand’s history, the father and son duo behind the cinnamon roll chain wanted to make the world’s greatest, most delicious cinnamon roll from scratch. The baked-good giant lists three components that set them apart from other retailers: fresh-baked dough, cream cheese frosting, and a proprietary blend of cinnamon (Makara).

What Is Makara Cinnamon?

Cinnamon is the bark from two major types of Laurel trees, Cassia Cinnamomum (grown in Indonesia) and Ceylon Cinnamomum (grown in Sri Lanka). When a cinnamon tree is around two years old, the plant is trimmed and covered with soil to help grow more like a bush. New growth shoots are born from this soil and their stripped, dried bark is what cinnamon is made from.

But what exactly is this special Makara cinnamon? Cinnabon owns the name of Makara and their exact blend is a trademarked secret, so we don’t know exactly. But we do know that it’s a cassia cinnamon that contains more essential oils than ceylon, producing a stronger aroma. Using Makara also results in a more gooey texture when liquid is added to it, giving the Cinnabon cinnamon rolls their signature softness.

When the stores aren’t baking a fresh batch of cinnamon rolls, they even place baking pans of this Makara cinnamon mixed with brown sugar in the ovens to entice customers with that irresistible scent. It’s hard to resist a good smell especially if it’s associated with warmth and coziness.

Where Can I Buy Makara?

Has all this talk of warm, pillowy rolls made you want to whip up a batch? Good news! Makara can be purchased in a Cinnabon store. Bad news: It’s not available in every store or online. Cinnabon meant business when they locked up their secret ingredient. Cinnamon from Indonesia is available for purchase from multiple online retailers but there’s only one true Cinnabon cinnamon.

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We Just Found Out What Makes Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls So Good (2024)

FAQs

Why are Cinnabon cinnamon rolls so good? ›

The baked-good giant lists three components that set them apart from other retailers: fresh-baked dough, cream cheese frosting, and a proprietary blend of cinnamon (Makara).

Why are cinnamon rolls so yummy? ›

Why are cinnamon rolls so good? These particular cinnamon rolls are super soft, fluffy, and perfectly chewy, with so much gooey brown sugar cinnamon and luxurious melty cream cheese icing. The sweet, sweet smell of brown sugar and cinnamon and butter while you're baking is absolutely irresistible.

Does Cinnabon use special cinnamon? ›

They use the best cinnamon in the world.

Cinnabon's creators set out to find the most flavorful and aromatic cinnamon possible, and settled on "Korintje" or "Makara," a variety that can only be harvested from cassia trees in the mountains of Indonesia. It's considered the gold standard of the spice.

Why can't you refrigerate Cinnabon cinnamon rolls? ›

Why you shouldn't refrigerate Cinnabon. According to Serious Eats, after baking, the starch molecules in bread begin to recrystallize and harden, which is how bread goes stale. Refrigeration only accelerates that process.

Why put milk on cinnamon rolls before baking? ›

Julie Clark, the blogger behind the website, notes that after years of research, she discovered that the key to getting perfectly gooey rolls is to “pour heavy cream over the cinnamon buns before baking. THIS is the secret ingredient and what makes the rolls rich and gooey.”

What is the difference between a cinnamon roll and a Cinnabon? ›

Structurally, cinnamon buns share the same spiral shape. They are sometimes thinner and more delicate. The most significant difference between cinnamon rolls and cinnamon buns is the inclusion of nuts. Cinnamon buns often have pecans, walnuts, or even raisins in the filling.

How unhealthy is a Cinnabon? ›

Worst: Cinnabon Classic Roll

The OG sure does taste good, but at 880 calories per bun, it shouldn't come as a surprise that this treat tops our list. Not only is it chock-full of calories, but it also provides over 1,000 milligrams of sodium per roll.

Why is Cinnabon only in malls? ›

The Short and Sweet Answer

Malls draw in large crowds, providing the perfect audience for their tempting treats. Being in a mall also means Cinnabon can make the most of the shopping atmosphere.

How long do Cinnabon rolls last? ›

But that's exactly what Cinnabon recommends! They say it's best to to store their cinnamon rolls at room temperature for up to 2 days and don't recommend storing them in the refrigerator.

What brand of cinnamon does Cinnabon use? ›

Our world-famous cinnamon roll is made with a combination of warm dough, legendary Makara cinnamon, and signature cream cheese for a freshly baked, irresistible sweet treat. Product availability and varieties vary by market.

What company owns Cinnabon? ›

GoTo Foods (formerly Focus Brands) is an American company that currently owns the Schlotzsky's, Carvel, Cinnabon, Moe's Southwest Grill, McAlister's Deli, Auntie Anne's and Jamba brands. It is located in Sandy Springs, Georgia, and operates over 5,000 stores.

What kind of frosting does Cinnabon have? ›

The smooth, Ooey-Gooey™ topping of Cinnabon® cream cheese frosting adds another depth of flavor. Painted all over our rolls, it's a final layer to perfection.

What is the most unhealthy Cinnabon? ›

Worst: Caramel Pecanbon

The Caramel Pecanbon, while a delicious treat from Cinnabon, is considered an unhealthy choice due to its high calorie, sugar, and fat content. A single serving packs a hefty caloric punch, often exceeding the daily recommended sugar intake in just one pastry.

Why is Cinnabon so expensive to eat? ›

The Sweet Reasons Behind Cinnabon's Pricing

From the rich cream cheese frosting to the Indonesian cinnamon that gives them their signature taste, each element contributes to the cost. Another factor is the in-store experience. Walking into a Cinnabon, you're greeted by the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goods.

Why do cinnamon buns taste so good? ›

Take a breather from your Cinnabon-eating frenzy and you would notice that it's actually the sum of their parts — the oh-so-tender dough, the massive amounts of cinnamon and sugar, and the frosting you could eat by the spoonful — that makes them so darn tasty.

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